Ellsworth rally halts MCC win streak at six

October 10, 2013

IOWA FALLS - The Marshalltown Community College volleyball team failed to hold a pair of leads against rival Ellsworth on Wednesday night and had its six-match win streak stopped on the road.

The Tigers held a two games-to-one lead in the match and were in front 10-8 in the deciding fifth set but could not hold on as Ellsworth stole a 16-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-12, 17-15 win in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference action.

The loss drops MCC to 16-13 overall and 3-4 in conference play, while the Panthers improve to 9-16 overall and 2-5 in league play.

The reigning ICCAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week led the Tigers once again against Ellsworth. Freshman hitter Meghann Cole finished with 15 kills and sophomore Alyssa Whitmore added 24 digs. Whitmore continues to fill in for injured libero Ashley Salgado.

Freshman hitter Miranda Smith chipped in 13 kills and six blocks in the loss, while freshman setter Sam Hinrichs dished out 38 assists, had 17 digs and dropped seven kills.

The Tigers return to the court Friday and Saturday at the DMACC Invitational. MCC opens tournament play at 9 a.m. Friday against No. 2 Parkland College and also will play South Suburban College, which received votes in the lastest NJCAA poll.